How does Apple Vision Pro work, and what does it mean for the future of computing?

The answer

Apple Vision Pro, released in February 2024 at $3,499, is Apple's entry into spatial computing. The headset features 23 million pixels across two micro-OLED displays (more than a 4K TV per eye), 12 cameras, 5 sensors, and 6 microphones. Its custom R1 chip processes sensor data in 12 milliseconds - 8 times faster than the blink of an eye - to minimize motion sickness. EyeSight technology displays the wearer's eyes externally, and the device is controlled entirely through eye tracking, hand gestures, and voice. The M2 chip powers visionOS, which renders apps as floating windows in physical space. While initial sales were modest, the technology demonstrated that passthrough mixed reality could achieve consumer-grade quality, spurring competitors Samsung, Google, and Meta to accelerate their own spatial computing efforts.